Typhoon Usagi smashes into southern China

A big wave smashes into a breakwater as Typhoon Usagi approaches the eastern coastal town of Taitung September 21, 2013. (Reuters) / Reuters

The year's most powerful typhoon crashed into southern China on Sunday evening, killing two people and forcing hundreds of flight cancellations in nearby Hong Kong as heavy rain and fierce winds were brought to the region.

The typhoon was earlier on a crash course with Hong Kong, but
veered away at the last minute, making landfall near the city of
Shanwei in the Chinese province of Guangdong.

Two people in Guangdong province died after they were hit by a
fallen tree, Xinhua news agency reported, citing local
officials.

Authorities in Guangdong initiated an emergency response plan for
the Daya Bay nuclear power station - located northeast of Hong
Kong - as Usagi approached, ordering four of six reactors to
operate at a reduced load, the agency said.

Police in Shanwei ordered more than 8,000 fishing boats to return
to port and more than 1,200 residents were shuttled to temporary
shelters.

Usagi – Japanese for 'rabbit' – was classified as a severe
typhoon, packing sustained winds of 175 kilometers (109 miles)
per hour, with gusts of up to 213 kph (132 mph). The typhoon shut
down one of the world's busiest sea ports and severely disrupted
flight schedules from the US and Europe.

Hong Kong International Airport said that 370 arriving and
departing flights were canceled and another 64 delayed, AP
reported. Ferry services between Hong Kong and nearby Macau and
outlying islands were suspended as the observatory raised the No.
8 storm warning signal - the third highest on a five-point scale.

The storm, characterized by meteorologists as the most powerful
anywhere on Earth this year, earlier killed two people in the
Philippines and sparked landslides in Taiwan while en route to
southern China. Nine people in Taiwan were reportedly injured by
falling trees.

Usagi was downgraded from a super typhoon on Saturday as its
sustained winds fell below 241 kilometers (150 miles) per hour as
it passed through the the Luzon Strait, which separates the
Philippines and Taiwan.

In response to the imminent threat, Hong Kong authorities warned
citizens to brace themselves for flooding and powerful winds.
Cathay Pacific airline has announced it will suspend services
when the storm strikes.

"Due to the anticipated impact of Super Typhoon Usagi
approaching, operations at Hong Kong will stop from 18:00 on 22
September (Sunday) through 23 September (Monday),” said a
statement on the company’s website. The statement also urged
citizens to refrain from non-essential travel.

On mainland China, authorities issued a red alert – the highest
level warning – and forecast hurricane force winds and heavy
rains. Over 4,000 people inhabiting the coastal towns of Fujian
Province were evacuated in preparation for Usagi's arrival.
Around 23,000 fishing boats have been put into shelter.

Usagi has already swept through the Philippines and Taiwan,
leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The typhoon hit the Batanes islands in the early hours of
Saturday morning, knocking down trees and cutting electricity.

"The winds are very strong. I cannot even go out now,"
Batanes governor Vicente Gato told DZBB radio in Manila. "Many
trees have been uprooted and we have no electricity," he
said. There have been no reports of casualties, but emergency
services remain on standby.

An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines and the surrounding
area each year. Philippine Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said
that as a result, the people of the Philippines were well
prepared for Usagi.

"Our people there know the drill, but we have also issued
warnings to take safety precautions," Abad said. "We're
praying it doesn't create death and destruction."

Back in 2011, Typhoon Washi decimated the Philippines, killing
1,200 people and destroying thousands of homes. Typhoon Morakot
left a trail of destruction in Taiwan in 2009, triggering huge
landslides that killed around 600 people.